Rice University
Cost of Attendance Breakdown
| Annual Cost of Attendance | $42,495 |
| Tuition & Fees | $20,755 |
| Living Expenses | $21,740 |
| Federal Loan Cap (Graduate) | −$20,500 |
| Annual Funding Gap | $21,995 |
Cover Your $21,995 Gap
Rice University Humanities students typically need $21,995 in private loans per year to bridge the gap between federal aid and cost of attendance. Pre-qualify with a soft credit check — no impact to your score.
Based on our analysis of 7,333 programs at 1,861 universities · thefundinggap.org
What This Means for You
Large gap — private loans likely required
At $21,995/year ($43,990 over the full 2-year program), the funding gap for Rice University Humanities is substantial. Most students in this situation use a combination of private loans, institutional aid, and personal resources.
- Shop private loans carefully — a cosigner can significantly reduce your rate
- Ask Rice University about institutional scholarships, especially merit-based awards
- Consider whether a funded alternative (research/teaching assistantship) exists in your field
- File FAFSA early to maximize eligibility for any need-based institutional aid
Need help navigating financial aid? Start with FAFSA
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal loan limit for Rice University Humanities students?
Under the OBBBA (effective July 1, 2026), Rice University Humanities students can borrow up to $20,500 per year in federal Direct Loans. This is the graduate annual cap. The aggregate lifetime limit is $100,000 for graduate students.
Can I still get a Grad PLUS loan for Rice University?
No. Starting July 1, 2026, the Grad PLUS loan program is eliminated under the OBBBA. All graduate and professional students are subject to fixed annual borrowing caps ($20,500/year for graduate programs). Students who need additional funding beyond the cap must use private loans, institutional aid, scholarships, or personal funds.
How much does Rice University Humanities cost per year?
The total cost of attendance for Rice University Humanities is $42,495 per year. Over the full 2-year program, the total cost is $84,990.
What is the funding gap for Rice University Humanities?
The annual funding gap is $21,995, calculated as the difference between the total cost of attendance ($42,495) and the federal loan cap ($20,500). Over the full 2-year program, the total gap is $43,990. This is below the national median of $26,178 for Humanities (MA) programs.
Is Rice University Humanities classified as graduate or professional?
Rice University Humanities is classified as graduate under 34 CFR § 668.2. This means the annual federal loan cap is $20,500/year, with an aggregate limit of $100,000.
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Read more →Sources & Methodology
Data Sources
- Cost of attendance: Sourced from Rice University’s official tuition and fees page for the 2025–2026 academic year.
- Federal loan caps: Defined by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Public Law 119-21, Title VIII, Section 81001, amending 20 U.S.C. § 1087e(a), paragraph 4(A)(i).
- IPEDS data: Institutional characteristics from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (NCES), Unit ID: 227757.
- Program classification: MA is classified as graduate per 34 CFR § 668.2, with an annual federal loan cap of $20,500.
Methodology
- Funding gap = Cost of Attendance − Federal Loan Cap. Negative values are reported as $0.
- Cost of attendance includes tuition, mandatory fees, and estimated living expenses (housing, food, books, transportation, personal).
- Rankings compare programs within the same degree type nationally, sorted by annual funding gap from lowest to highest.
- Default COA assumes full-time enrollment, out-of-state residency (where applicable), no scholarships or grants, and no prior federal debt.
Data last updated: January 2026. Effective date for OBBBA loan caps: July 1, 2026.
A student at Rice University Humanities faces an annual funding gap of $21,995 based on a cost of attendance of $42,495 minus the federal graduate loan cap of $20,500. Over 2 years, the total funding gap is $43,990. Based on data from “The 2026 Graduate Education Funding Crisis — A Data Report” available on thefundinggap.org.